- EastMinCom says troops are there to ensure order amid ongoing search for Quiboloy
THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) assigned less than 500 soldiers to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound to maintain peace and security while the police search for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and four other co-accused continues.
However, during the Davao Peace and Security press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 4, EastMinCom spokesperson Major Salvacion Evangelista clarified the soldiers wouldn’t be deployed at the same time and that their marching order was to avoid direct participation in the police operation.
“Our soldiers are there to maintain peace and security and also do security patrols near the areas of KOJC,” Evangelista said.
She stated they could not disclose the exact number of deployed soldiers but assured them there were enough to support the PNP if needed.
“We are deploying composite teams consisting of Air Force, Navy, and Army personnel. These teams are conducting 24-hour rotational patrols in the vicinity of Airport View in Barangay Communal and Barangay Panacan, crossing C.P. Garcia, and areas nearby alongside Airport View. We also have troops on standby alert within EastMinCom, ready to rotate in as needed,” she added.
Evangelista further mentioned the deployment of three K9 units to provide law enforcement support to the police.
“The AFP is in a support role in this operation, not the main effort. We are conducting security patrols and sometimes augmenting checkpoint operations, but not within the compound itself,” she clarified.
“We emphasize that the AFP is not entering the compound as this requires specialized skills. We are conducting security patrols, and we have enough personnel on standby alert if needed,” she reiterated.
The EastMinCom spokesperson explained the reason for their involvement.
“Aside from the PNP’s request, the AFP is adhering to its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response mandate. The incident at KOJC has the potential to become a humanitarian crisis. As your partner in maintaining peace and security, we are preparing to prevent this incident from hindering our daily activities,” Evangelista stated.
The deployed soldiers are in their prescribed uniforms and those on patrol carry firearms but maintain a distance from the KOJC compound.
“This is not new; soldiers have conducted patrols in the area before. We have just tightened the patrols now,” she added.
Evangelista also encouraged the media and the public to report any soldiers seen violating standard operating procedures.
“We are very open to reports about our soldiers,” she said.
The Eastern Mindanao Command remains on red alert status.
Additionally, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has deployed 250 personnel from the City Mobile Force Company, various police stations, and the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team.
“They are tasked for two hours in the area, after which they will return to their police stations,” said DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon.
“We are ensuring that the DCPO’s programs and accomplishments in other operations continue despite the KOJC operation,” she added.
Davao City Police Office director Col. Hansel Marantan has directed efforts to ensure the public’s safety and security.
